During his visit to the south, Minister Benny Gantz (chairman of the National Unity party) refers to the various combat zones that the IDF conducts, and makes it clear that the fighting in the Gaza Strip will continue for a long time.
"The military operation is expanding and deepening in the south and north of the Strip, and also in the north against Hezbollah, which is removed from the border and suffering casualties. At this stage - the Hamas leadership has lost control over a large part of the territory. Hamas fighters surrender or are killed. We are thoroughly dismantling the military apparatus so that it cannot be assembled ever again."
Gantz added that: "The launch capability still exists but has been severely damaged, and the fighting continues. It is important to emphasize - we will hold the territories in the Gaza Strip for a long period of time, we will act militarily wherever a Hamas member raises his head or his weapon and we will make sure that the IDF soldiers can be seen from the windows of the houses of the residents in the south."
"The light that is lit in the menorahs of the residents gives a huge boost to the fighters"
He went on to describe the meeting with the evacuees from Sderot: "Before I came here, I was in Ashkelon and Yad Mordechai, yesterday I visited the evacuees from Sderot in the Dan Hotel in Tel Aviv, and I tell you - the light that is lit in the menorahs of the residents here and in the north - gives a huge boost to the IDF fighters who look at them from the front."
According to Gantz: "I would like to thank the local leadership here in Sderot which is an integral and solid part of this effort."
In conclusion, Gantz said: "Our action is aimed at continuing the dismantling of Hamas, the return of the abductees and in order to enable the return of some residents to their homes in a process that will begin in the coming weeks and under the guidance of the IDF here in Sderot. We will do this while we are constantly assessing the situation, and first of all we are concerned about the safety of all citizens."